2011 Poker Paddle & Picnic
July 31, 2011Thanks to Anssi Rantamaa for the photos
Our annual poker paddle and picnic just keeps getting better and better! Despite a windy and cool start 52 players paddled, rowed, walked or rode around to the seven stations to collect their playing cards and waited eagerly at the picnic site for the winning hands to be declared. By then the picnic crowd was gathering and our barbeque chefs Don Reynolds, Ted Clarke and Don Miller were cooking for the growing line of hungry residents. The sun was bright but not too hot making the weather perfect for the water slide, fish -pond, golf pitch and bocce games going on.
Early in the day Donna Barnett , the area's MLA, dropped in to meet some residents and to bring certificates of appreciation for our firefighters which she presented to Chief Bob Campbell. Her gesture of support is greatly appreciated.
I estimate that over 100 people came to the picnic and through most of the early afternoon there were 65 neighbors eating, visiting and playing. At the gate we had 12 families join or re-join the association. After expenses this year's event cleared over $1100; a social and financial success and great for our community.
A special thanks goes out to Donna Rantamaa and her committee for again organizing the poker paddle and to Bob and Fran Campbell whose lawn we trampled yet again!
Peter Thomson
President, HLVFA
Please click here for more photos of the Poker Paddle & Picnic
(Please be patient if you're on dial-up!)
GREAT GRANT NEWS!
This is a bad news/good news story. First the bad news: in December our association was told that the Gaming Branch had turned down our request for a Community Gaming Grant to finance the purchase of air tanks for our firefighters, some additional equipment and possibly two new front tires for our yellow tanker. We were very disappointed by the news and very puzzled by the Gaming Branch's stated reasons.
We asked June Clarke, a member and an accountant to advise us and decided that we would meet around January 1st. The three of us, June, Treasurer Tim and I were all to be at the lake for our winter break. June studied the gaming branch letter and advised us. Tim revised the style of the 2009 - 2010 HLVFA financial statement and I wrote a letter requesting reconsideration of the grant denial.
Now, the good news: late last month we learned we were successful and have been given a $10,000 Community Gaming Grant! Chiefs Bob and Dale are now busy shopping for those much-needed items.
Yay!
Peter Thomson
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